Surfing Introduced to Southern California

George Freeth bust at Redondo Beach Pier. Los Angeles Almanac Photo.

George Freeth resurrected the ancient Polynesian sport of surfing and introduced it to Southern California beaches at Redondo Beach in 1907. He is considered the "Father of Modern Surfing." In 1910, according to the Census of that year, Freeth rented a room in Redondo Beach at 106 Pacific Avenue. Sadly, in 1919, as a victim of the global flu pandemic he died in San Diego at age 35.